Sound Performance Lab Gain Station 2272 - Manual (Page 17)

GainStation 1 17
LIMITER
The GainStation 1 offers two types of output level limiting:
PEAK and FET. The limiter is pre-output level control, so that
the limited signal can be optimally adapted to the internal or
external converter.
The peak limiter operates with special diodes that convert signal
peaks into a type of saturation. Depending on the signal, this
allows levels to be effectively and subtly limited. This type of
limiting works very quickly, reliably limiting even microsecond-
long transients, and is very effective for drums and percussion.
The peak limiter also enables maximum loudness. Operation is
displayed via the Limit LED.
The FET limiter is additionally available when the tube stage is
activated. The FET circuit operates with a Field Effect Transistor
(FET), which is connected to the tube and enables—always in
conjunction with the peak limiter—a reduction of signal ampli-
tude. Thus this limiter works in a similar fashion to a compressor,
which makes it very effective for signals that undergo unfore-
seeable level changes (i.e. vocals, speech, guitar, bass, piano
etc.) and where minimum loss in signal quality is desired. The
peak limiter is always active post-FET limiter to ensure reliable
protection. The Limit LED also displays the operation of the FET
limiter (always somewhat more calmly than with peak limiting).
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the tube stage is deactivated while FET
limiting is active, the LED will continue to display in FET limiting
mode.
For more information on using the limiters please see page 20,
”Limiter”.
Control elements
Off
+Fet
LIMITER
Peak
Limit